From a horse's mouth

[Disconosebleed]

Not THE horse's mouth, but one of them. My mate was out drinking last Saturday and rang me to tell me that Paul Robinson had just walked in and was having a few beers with his dad. Long story short, my mate (who is an Arsenal fan) ended up at the same table with a few of his Spurs mates and spent a while talking to him.

He rung me about ten minutes after first meeting, and naturally I was gutted that I wasn't there. All he had to tell me at first was that Robbo had just gone outside to take a call from Fabio Capello to say that he'd been called up. Thought it was bollocks and he was winding me up, but lo and behold a couple of hours later it turned out to be true.

Anyway, my mate had plenty to tell me. First off, he said that at first Robbo was a very nice fella but as he got more drunk he turned into a bit of an arrogant dickhead. However, he said the plus side of this was that as he got more lubricated, his tongue became more loose and he actually got quite a lot of information out of him...

-He said that Ramos is not popular amongst a lot of the players, that there is the vaguely-insulting (or just dismissive, I guess) nickname of "The Spanish One", he gets no more credit than that.

-He said that Berbatov is a bit of a dick, and very arrogant. Although on this one, unlike Ramos, he didn't say that this was what everyone thinks, so it might just be him.

-He said that he was actually quite annoyed at being called up for England, as he had plans with his wife and didn't want to ruin them. Which I suppose isn't as bad as it sounds, seeing as he knew he would be third choice and would probably see no action. Doesn't say much about his determination to be as good as he can be, though.

-Most interestingly of all, he said that he would definitely be leaving in the summer and that Lennon, Dawson and Berbatov
were also leaving. None of them will be a huge surprise to anyone, but there you go.

Obviously take it all with a pinch of salt. I can vouch for the fact that my friend was with him and that Robinson said these things, but obviously beyond that you can't guarantee that
Robinson was telling the truth, and a lot of it is opinion anyway.

Assuming it is true...not much positive there, is there. As I said none of the potential departures are surprising, but I would have thought Ramos was popular (although in truth it may be a case of the players respecting him but not necessarily liking him, he is notoriously stand-offish isn't he?), and I thought Berbatov was well-liked at the club as well.

Perhaps just the drink getting the better of Robinson, but there you have it. Take it for what it's worth. I was told all of what he had to say when I was drunk so I'm probably forgetting other little bits of info, I'll ask my mate to remind me when I speak to him.

*EDIT* He also said that he doesn't like Arsene Wenger because he's a "lanky prick". Good lad. Also confirmed that the old "Robbo taking the piss at his Arsenal trial" rumours were true.

 

[Stoof]

Thanks for sharing, DNB. :up:

It's understandable that the players are going to be a bit shocked - going from Jol, cuddly and huggy, to a man that commands a "Mr." in front of his surname, what do they expect?

At the end of the day, they're not there to like the manager, they are there to play for him, and I expect there are enough players in this world that would. So I'm surprised at this attitude to be honest. Lennon and Ramos haven't got on, it appears. But I was always a bit worried with Lennon anyway, his drinking is out of hand for a professional athlete, he's always down at Faces as a lot of my skinny tie wearing amigos hang out there too.

Dawson I am surprised about, however.

Berbatov and Robbo have been foregone conclusions for me for a while now. And it certainly ain't gonna be pretty when DB goes.

 

[drjimmy]

His drinking habit has been known for a long time; maybe the problem with his weight??

You don't have to like someone to respect them, but as a professional, that reported episode is anything but professional.

Good shot-stopper, not a good GK, IMHO.......bye, Robbo, don't let the door hit you on the way out :hello:

 

[idlepete]

Cool, cheers for passing the info on. He does sound like he may be a little bitter.

 

[Netty]

I will be gutted if either of them four leave. I'm not looking foward to the Summer, it's going to be horrible reading the papers or teletext.

 

[ever]

cool thanks for the info, like you say salt pinching is in order but there is nothing there that i would call outrageously rubbish

i wouldnt read to much into the ramos being disliked, i would take a guess at it being from a bunch of players that had it easier under jol and now under the new guy they are being worked harder and more is being demanded from them

whats this about an arsenal trial though?

 

[fozzi44]

well robbie keane was full of praise for mr Ramos on goals on sunday.

Also every article i read seems to hail the abilities of the man. But maybe this is where this talk of a clear out is coming from, players not respecting him. Which is a joke, considering the mulla they make.

But out of all that i am certainly most concerned by a lack of respect by the players towards ramos.

 

[drjimmy]

But out of all that i am certainly most concerned by a lack of respect by the players towards ramos.

The manager invariably has the last laugh...........

 

[Dibby]

Thanks alot for sharing. It seems like a story which could very well be true. Not sure what I think of it though. Robbo probably should leave... Lennon and Daws though.... and we all know Berbatov likes to keep his options open.

 

[Bowlesinho]

On the Dawson front, have heard many rumours that he is homesick and doesn't enjoy London at all, but only wanted to move back north if a "bigger" club came in. Now he has got Woody in front of him, I can see a little truth in him leaving.

 

[al_pacino]

I thought he said, in an interview with SC, that he didn't have a trial with the Arse.

As for the players leaving, who'd be surprised if Berba wasn't here next season?

 

[Dibby]

I thought he said, in an interview with SC, that he didn't have a trial with the Arse.

As for the players leaving, who'd be surprised if Berba wasn't here next season?

Me.

 

[Has1978]

Unfortunately it's all very very believable.

I do remember one of the referees (forget the name but he's a PL regular) coming out and talking about what a "big drinker" Lennon was a few years ago in between complimenting Spurs on our good behaviour

 

[Stoof]

Me.

Really? You'd be surprised? Even though he was linked every day of a 1 month window with a move to United. You'd be surprised?

Come on Steve, it's been on the cards for like a year. It's hardly a surprise if he goes.

 

[TheChosenOne]

I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe Robbo was out on the lash the night before a match, whatever people think about his ability I don't think a pro would take a risk on getting langers especially if word got out.

 

[SpurSince57]

This wasn't at the Cock & Dragon at Cockfosters by any chance, was it?

 

[Dibby]

Really? You'd be surprised? Even though he was linked every day of a 1 month window with a move to United. You'd be surprised?

Come on Steve, it's been on the cards for like a year. It's hardly a surprise if he goes.

I'd be suprised if Ramos let him go without a struggle considering he has said he intends to hold onto him and he has two years extra that can be activated on his contract.

Catch my point? :wink:

 

[llamafarmer]

I'd be suprised if Ramos let him go without a struggle considering he has said he intends to hold onto him and he has two years extra that can be activated on his contract.

Catch my point? :wink:

We all know the contract won't matter though DB, if he wants to go, a long contract just means we're able to demand a decent transfer fee.

I hope this report isn't true, but if any players have a problem with Ramos (that they can't be professional enough to work through) then they can fook off imo. We have one real, proven winner at this club - Juande Ramos.

 

[Dibby]

We all know the contract won't matter though DB, if he wants to go, a long contract just means we're able to demand a decent transfer fee.

I hope this report isn't true, but if any players have a problem with Ramos (that they can't be professional enough to work through) then they can fook off imo. We have one real, proven winner at this club - Juande Ramos.

That's just the thing though... I don't think Ramos is one to just bend over and let his players have their way. I think he'll make sure he sees out most of the contract.

 

[DoublePivot]

So perhaps, if this is true, it is that part of the reason the players have been phoning it in since the Carling Cup. They don't get on with the management and won't be bothered. And they know, he is increasingly not liking them.